The 2016 BC Floor Covering Expo was a resounding success and 2017 will be even better

We heard it from supporters, sponsors and attendees. We're moving in the right direction. This year our objective was to attract and support all sectors of the industry, including other construction parties such as architects, designers and general contractors. With the introduction of new education opportunities and topics, as well as more diverse product and service exhibits, we hope to continue building on the success of this year's show. It's about bringing all parties together.

Attendees took full advantage of the educational seminars offered. We changed our model this year to offer free educational opportunities for those who attended four or more seminars. We were so please that some companies sent upwards of ten or more staff to the event. Eight seminars were held throughout the day and classrooms were booked out with over 90 registered attendees filling the rooms to capacity to listen, take notes and learn from some of the best in the business. Topics included carpet issues, how to get LVT installations right, sub-floor moisture issues, acoustical issues, and preventing floor covering failure. In addition, three seminars accredited through the Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC) and Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) were also available for architects and interior designers.

The Exhibitors' Floor was sold out

A sold out exhibitors' floor set the tone for the show. "We were turning companies away in the run-up to the event because we ran out of space", Denise Rowse, Event Coordinator for the show reported. "All the exhibitors I spoke to were really pleased with the turnout." We welcomed a number of new exhibitors this year, including SiteMax, who produce software to help organize operations with their state-of-the-art software, Ufloor Sytems, Roppe, industry leaders in the manufacture of rubber flooring, Decco Adhesives, Mohawk, Milliken, Silpro, Centura and Shaw Industries.

National Floor Covering Association (NFCA) VIP Breakfast

More than 50 representatives from 40 manufacturers and flooring contractors at the NFCA VIP Breakfast.

Special guest Honorable Peter Fassbender talks flooring with a select group of industry leaders.

Representatives from among the best firms in the industry (over 40 manufacturers and flooring contractors) gathered at a special breakfast meeting hosted by the National Floor Covering Association (NFCA). The objective of the meeting was to bring together a select group of industry leaders to talk about how we can all work together to bring about positive change in terms of more successful installations through better communication, quality assurance and education. The hope is that by building membership and momentum, we will gradually realize these goals.

Guest speaker, Honorable Peter Fassbender, discussed the importance of standards, the value of the Floor Covering Reference Manual and how the NFCA provides a platform and opportunity to have a unified voice of support.

Chris Maskell, President of the NFCA Board of Directors followed Mr. Fassbender, presenting the opportunity in detail, invited manufacturers, suppliers and commercial flooring contractors to participate and help lead change. A key part of that change is the need to get the Quality Assurance Program specified in the majority of commercial flooring projects. Maskell told guests that this is a service other trades, such as painters, millworkers and roofers have successfully implemented to guide their industries for over 30 years. He stressed that now it is time to do the same in flooring.

We were encouraged to see so many industry leaders and influencers such as Forbo, Armstrong, Polyflor, Interface and Jordan's in attendance and open to hearing what we had to say. We were also pleased to have Gay Woodward at the breakfast. Gay is one of the original architects of the Floor Covering Reference Manual that guides the QA program. Without her perseverance and vision, we would not be here today.

Looking ahead - we will continue the dialogue across the industry, work with and support the NFCA members, develop more educational opportunities, build relationships with health authorities, school districts and all relevant parties in the construction community and report on our progress.

Thank you to a great team!

2016 Board of Directors

Without Board support, an event such as this stands little chance of reaching potential attendees in a significant way. Thanks to all the Board members who picked up the baton, spread the word and helped to make this event the success that it was. The EXPO Committee performed 'yeoman service’ and really hit a home run. A sincere thank you to Meliha Simms, Alan Watier and Darryl Wilson for all of their efforts on that committee. Finally, much appreciation and respect to Denise Rowse and Jackie Trafton who round out a dedicated and talented team.